a quiet place …

 

A quiet place. Acrylic/ink on canvas board. Mari French 2015

A quiet place. Acrylic/ink on canvas board. Mari French 2015


I painted these two new Saltmarsh works just recently and they’re now at the framers in preparation for my small solo show at Fineline Frames Gallery, Creake Abbey, North Norfolk, this September.

I admit I’m quietly pleased with them. I’m so enjoying working on this series and excited by the way my interpretation of the Saltmarsh is developing. I can’t wait to see them framed.

For those of you not familiar with my obsession with this subject, this is what I’ve written as an intro to the blurb for the exhibition:

Mari French’s current work is inspired by the ever changing beauty of the saltmarsh coast of North Norfolk. Since moving to Norfolk six years ago, she has spent many hours walking and sketching around Thornham, Brancaster and Burnham Overy Staithe, in particular. This has culminated in an ongoing series of mixed-media abstracted landscapes, which will eventually form a larger body of work on the theme of saltmarsh. Her aim is to suggest the shapes, colours and textures of the saltmarsh that capture her interest – old staithes, channel markers, creeks, grazings, breakwaters, tidal marks, reedbeds – and place them in the wider coastal environment.

My exhibition starts on Saturday 5th September and runs for the whole month. Tues – Sun 10am – 4pm.

Fineline Frames Gallery, Creake Abbey, North Creake, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 9LF.

 
Liminal space. Acrylic/ink on canvas board. Mari French 2015

Liminal space. Acrylic/ink on canvas board. Mari French 2015



art fair east …

 

Art Fair East 2015

Our stand at Art Fair East 2015

I’ve just had an exciting and enjoyable few days sharing a stand at the first Art Fair East, in the impressive setting of one of Norwich’s many ancient buildings … St Andrew’s Halls. 

It was great to meet so many friendly visitors, artists and gallery owners. Despite the glorious weather and the many charms of this beautiful medieval city, the public just kept pouring in. The opening night was particularly busy with a great buzz about it.

Art Fair East 2015

Art Fair East 2015 opening night

I shared the stand with artists Heather TamplinHelen HerbertAlan Mansfield and Gavin Morris. Although our artwork styles were very different and fitting the five of us into a rather tight space was a challenge, I think it came together well and thanks are due to the lovely Heather Tamplin for organising us all.

© Alan Mansfield

© Alan Mansfield


© Helen Herbert

© Helen Herbert

There was a great feeling of camaraderie among many of the artists, chatting and swapping contact details and tips. Amongst the many inspiring artworks I was really impressed by the landscape pieces of artists Alex McIntyre and Paul Hird in particular.

The organisers, Will Teather and Brian Korteling, both accomplished artists, did an amazing job in instigating and putting the whole fair together.

Art Fair East 2015

Art Fair East 2015

 

© Heather Tamplin

© Heather Tamplin

 

Gavin Morris's sculptural lights

Gavin Morris’s sculptural lights

 

rising tide …

Painting in between Open Studios this week. This one started off as another in my current Saltmarsh series…

tide coming in. Ink & acrylic on canvas. Mari French 2015

tide coming in. Ink & acrylic on canvas. Mari French 2015

… but then the tide came in.